The many attractions of Florida’s capital city, Tallahassee are all housed within Leon County. In addition to the myriad of restaurants, historical sites, national protected areas, and beautiful glistening lakes, rivers and creeks, Florida State University, Florida A & M University and Tallahassee Community College are also part of the community’s allure. The county boasts approximately 275,487 residents and draws in hundreds of thousands more people with its beautiful climate and sunny disposition. Due to the popularity of Leon County, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office works in collaboration with the Tallahassee Police Department, the Tallahassee Community College Police Department and the Florida A & M Police Department in an effort to reduce congestion and collisions. Together they handed out 19,327 speeding citations in 2013. Some of the common major routes drivers are often cited for speeding within Leon County include:

I-10

US 27

US 90

US 319

State Roads 20, 61, 155, 263, 267 and 363

If you are one of the many thousands of drivers who has received a speeding ticket while driving through Leon County, contacting a speeding ticket attorney in Leon County is the best way to handle the proceedings.

What to Expect upon Receipt of a Speeding Citation

The average driver should expect about a 30 day window to decide upon their plea after receiving a Florida speeding citation. Immediate reaction is always better due to the fact that evidence in speeding cases such as weather, road and/or traffic conditions can be time sensitive. If you have been accused of speeding in Leon County and you wish to plead not guilty, a Tallahassee speeding ticket attorney can submit this plea on your behalf to the Clerk of the Court at the below listed address:

301 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32301

After the legal representative has submitted your plea, you should expect a hearing to take place at the same address. You do not have to attend this hearing unless you so choose. Your Leon County speeding ticket attorney can attend court either with you or in your place depending on which is more convenient for you. In the meantime, your speeding ticket lawyer will be hard at work gathering evidence that proves your innocence.

Speeding in Leon County is a Crime

While it may seem a minor offense at first glance, it is never a good idea to be found guilty of any crime in the state of Florida. For speeding offenses, drivers can expect to pay hefty fines ranging from $80 to more than $600 along with court fees if they are found guilty of this crime. Like any other crime, the fines and fees are only a part of the penalty involved. Drivers found guilty of speeding in Leon County will also receive three or more points applied directly to their licenses. These points will remain on the driving record for 3 to 5 years, often affecting the driver’s finances and employment situation.

Who Pays Attention to Points on a Driver’s License?

Law enforcement officials are always keeping tabs on a driver’s point. Should these points exceed the maximum amount, the driver will have their license revoked for an extended period of time. The number of points allotted can be seen below:

12 points for 12 months

18 points for 18 months

24 points for 36 months

If a driver exceeds the number of points allotted by the state, and their license is suspended, they might also experience:

Job Loss

Loss of Wages

Dependency on Public Transportation

Limited Traveling Options

Possible future employers and/or current employers also often express concern when a driver accrues points on their license. Since employers have the right to review these records, a driver who was found guilty of speeding might also experience:

Less Employment Opportunities

Job Loss

Denial of a Promotion

Demotion

Lastly, insurance companies use points to gage a driver’s level of responsibility. If an individual is deemed a high risk driver due points on their license, their rates maybe three or four times the amount of the average driver.

A speeding ticket lawyer in Leon County can help you to build a defense that may reduce and/or alleviate your speeding charge leaving you with more time, freedom and money. Get in touch with a Tallahassee speeding ticket lawyer while the details of your driving incident are still fresh in your mind.